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At the University Students’ Council meeting on Nov. 2 in the Roy Romanow Council Chambers, the USC discussed the proposed amendments to the bylaws. These amendments will be voted on during the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union annual general meeting at 6 p.m. on Nov. 23 in Room 146 of the Arts Building. The proposed amendments are as follows:

• to allow 10 more days before members of Students’ Council need to submit proposed bylaw amendments in advance of meetings
• to remove the requirement of USSU executives to register in classes during the regular academic year
• to change the date by which the USSU is required to hold by-elections for vacant executive or MSC positions to Oct. 31 rather than Dec. 1
• to remove the requirement to immediately hold a runoff election before Mar. 31 if a candidate fails to get elected by a majority vote, resulting in a vacancy

Wildlife on campus: On Sept. 19, Protective Services received a call regarding a moose walking through
the crop science field laboratory. The Saskatoon Police Service and a conservation officer were able to transport the moose safely out of city limits without incident.

Suspicious activity: On Sept. 22, a caller in Place
Riel reported that three males tried to sell him drugs. Protective Services officers searched their bags, and no drugs were found. The individuals left campus.

Bike thief apprehended: On the evening of Oct. 2, Protective Services were alerted about a possible stolen bicycle near the Education Building. Upon arrival, officers observed a male matching the description of the suspect on a bicycle. The suspect was eventually apprehended and found to be in possession of stolen property and a prohibited weapon.

Trespassing in Murray Library: On Oct. 5, Protective Services received a call reporting a panhandler in Murray Library. The individual was given a verbal warning and left campus.

Bike theft at Royal University Hospital: On Oct. 11, Protective Services received a call from Royal University Hospital security reporting that they witnessed an attempted bicycle theft near RUH. RUH security apprehended the male and awaited the arrival of Protective Services officers. The male was then placed under arrest without incident.

Attempted robbery on the Meewasin Trail: On Oct. 15, a student was approached by an unknown male
and female on the Meewasin Trail, just off campus near the university’s Education fields. The victim had her backpack pulled from her and was struck during the struggle. The suspects, one armed with a knife, did not take any of her belongings and fled on foot, southbound on the trail. This incident occurred off campus and was handled by the Saskatoon Police Service.

Safewalk reminder: Safewalk volunteers walk people safely to their destinations on or near campus, Sunday to Thursday from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Outside of these hours, Protective Services provides free walking escorts to students, staff, faculty and campus visitors and can be reached at (306) 966-5555.

*Briefs provided by Protective Services

Campus Briefs

By Tanner Bayne

Spotlight on tuition increases at the U of S

On April 4, the University of Saskatchewan Board of Governors announced the tuition rates for the 2018-19 academic year. On average, students at the U of S will be paying 4.8 per cent more than they did in the 2017-18 academic year.

At the U of S, tuition is set based on three considerations: comparisons to the tuition levels of other U15 universities, the perceived quality of education, and affordability and accessibility. With the tuition announcement, the Board of Governors released an information document outlining the tuition increases by college. The tuition hikes for direct-entry colleges are as follows:

Agriculture and Bioresources

4.8 per cent increase, from $6,119 to $6,413.

Arts and Science

4.7 per cent increase, from $6,751 to $7,065.

Edwards School of Business

3.3 per cent increase, from $7,406 to $7,647.

Engineering

4.0 per cent increase, from $8,172 to $8,500.

Kinesiology

4.4 per cent increase, from $6,100 to $6,371.

In a media release following the Board of Governors’ tuition announcement, 2017-18 USSU vice-president operations and finance Deena Kapacila stated that the USSU is pleased with the tuition dialogue between the U of S administration and the USSU. However, Kapacila doesn’t believe that the hikes reflect the economic realities of students, and in her statement, she called on the provincial government for increased financial assistance.

“With the understanding that the cost associated with post-secondary education is a shared responsibility, we are asking the province of Saskatchewan to adequately fund our post-secondary institutions and work with the U of S to combat the declining student experience referenced in the Maclean’s U15 rankings,” Kapacila said. “Even if a student is lucky enough to find a well-paying job, working all summer barely covers the cost of one term.”

Whisk together oil, butter, lime and seasonings in a small glass bowl. Add shrimp, mix thoroughly to coat, and then set aside. Next, rinse quinoa and add to medium saucepan with stock — adding a dab of butter and a pinch of salt. Cover and cook for 15-18 minutes until light and fluffy, then remove from heat and let stand.

While the quinoa is cooking, thinly slice the bell pepper and garlic and cut the grape tomatoes in half. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add the peppers and garlic, sautéing for 3-5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook for another two minutes. Transfer these veggies to a glass bowl, and add salt and pepper to taste. Add shrimp to hot skillet, and cook over medium heat until firm and pink — about 4-5 minutes — being careful not to overcook them.

Divide the quinoa between two or three bowls. Top with chopped romaine and red onions, sautéed veggies, shrimp and avocado. Whisk together mayonnaise, yogurt, lime juice and the seasonings for the dressing. Drizzle evenly over top of power bowl ingredients, and sprinkle with chopped scallions.

Omega-3 fatty acids are not produced by the human body. Therefore, they need to be derived from the foods that we eat. Fish oils are one such source.

Because of how important essential fatty acids are for nutrition, they are linked to many health benefits. Fish-oil supplements can help relieve pain, combating muscle stiffness and aches. Some people have found that this may alleviate the delayed-onset muscle soreness experienced after a workout.

People also take fish oil to treat high blood pressure. Moreover, studies have shown that the EPA present in fish oils can reduce fat levels in people with high amounts of triglycerides — the major form of fat in the body.

Mercury levels in these pills are generally low, as they go through a refinement process. As a general rule of thumb, fish-oil pills sourced from non-predatory cold-water fish are the safest in terms of low mercury content. Finding a Natural Product Number on the package specifies that the product was tested for heavy metals, pesticides and toxins.

As for how much you should consume, Health Canada recommends no more than 3 grams of total fish oil per day — meaning EPA plus DHA. As always, consult a doctor or health professional to find out what considerations may apply to your personal health.

This week’s workout will focus on strengthening our legs. No props or equipment — aside from a wall, which everyone should have handy — will be necessary in order to complete this workout. During the second exercise, remember that your movements should be slow and controlled and that the pose should be held for a few seconds. For the final exercise, your knees should always be above your toes so as to make sure that your legs are straight.

1. Wall squat: 1 minute

2. Stationary lunge: 15 repetitions per side

3. Donkey kicks: 15 repetitions per side

4. Jumping squats: 10 repetitions per side

—

Hope N.S. Jeffery

Graphics: Jaymie Stachyruk / Graphics Editor

boygenius by boygenius

Melancholic and soft, this debut release from songwriters Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus plays like a longing lullaby. The group’s moniker is intended as commentary on gendered themes and as a means to highlight their femme-focused ensemble.

Simple riffs and melting melodies compose each track, coming together to explore the typical tropes of love and loss from a place of introspection. At times, it’s nearly impossible to separate the three artists’ individual voices as they blend together almost seamlessly.

If you need some time in your own feelings, check out “Salt In The Wound” — a moody power ballad that starts off slow, building to an epically emotional breakdown.

If I were to ask you the basic question “Who are you?” how would you respond in the simplest manner?

“Well, community, volunteering and service are big parts of my life. So, it would be one of my passions and something that’s really influenced my character. Taking after mentors and role models has probably formed who I am, too.”

What are you passionate about and why?

“I am definitely passionate about community [and] very passionate about people. I’m passionate about community because it’s a way [that] all people are connected and how people in a certain community can thrive and experience life together.

“I love bonding with different people that you might not have the chance to meet otherwise. [Community] gives you the opportunity to meet different people that may have different interests than you, … but you’re still connected through that community. It gives you a sense of belonging — I think community is really special.”

Do you have any dreams or projects you’d like to develop in our community?

“I love art and film — and very recently, a new passion I have is food sovereignty, after taking a course. I would love, love, love to create some kind of film activism for food sovereignty or food security, but I still need to talk to my friends about that and figure out the steps.”

What makes you happy?

“Lots of things. Sunshine, cats, listening and having long conversations with friends, family and strangers. Actually, making crafts really makes me happy — it’s a big stress reliever for me. More specifically, I love photography, and I really like to draw and paint just for fun. I also love to bake.”

What was the best day of your life?

“When we hiked the Cinque Terre trail in Italy for my grade 12 Easter trip — that was really good. That trail, holy shit. None of us had mentally or physically prepared ourselves for it — we were like, ‘Oh, it’s a hiking trip — hiking isn’t that hard.’

“We climbed a mountain. There were 50 of us in a line, so if one of us fell, we were all going over. It hurt, it was hot, but once we got to the top of the mountain and looked around, oh my god, it was so beautiful.”

“I have been struggling with homesickness since arriving at university. Help?”

Make time to familiarize yourself with your surroundings! Explore the city — you’ll begin to find your favourite spots, like a cute café or a nice walking trail. Doing this will make you more comfortable in your surroundings, and your new environment will begin to feel like home.

Keep in contact with friends and family at home, too. Reminiscing about shared experiences can help you feel more connected to the people you miss. Sending friends a new music discovery or sharing a new recipe with family can help you feel closer to your loved ones.

“I recently kissed a girl at a house party, and I now have feelings for her. What is your advice for someone who is really scared to come out?”

I’m sorry to hear that you’re feeling so scared to tell people about the awesome experience you had! Coming out is hard, because it’s a constant process. From the people closest to you to weird men in bars who hit on you, you will frequently find yourself explaining your sexuality to people.

Bottom line? You don’t have to come out unless you feel fully comfortable and safe to do so, and you can be selective of your audiences. Don’t be afraid to speak to the Student Wellness Centre if your feelings about your sexuality are taking a toll on your well-being.

“I currently share a room with someone, and I am so frustrated with the living situation. How do you deal with a nightmare roommate?”

Problem roommates can be debilitating to your mental health and can seriously affect your university experience. Definitely avoid hanging passive-aggressive notes — that’s just another level of petty — but do not suffer in silence.

There are many types of annoying roommates — maybe they’re really messy or they blast their favourite Rihanna song at ridiculous o’clock. It might seem like you live with Satan incarnate, but if you don’t say anything, then you can’t expect them to change their ways. Confrontation is daunting, but you shouldn’t waste your time pussyfooting around a jerk.

To help you get started, the University of Saskatchewan has a step-by-step guide to dealing with roommate conflicts at www.students.usask.ca/articles/healthy-living-with-roommates.

*Our advice columnists are not technically qualified doctors, but they care about you. If you’re struggling with something, email opinions@thesheaf.com.

Are there antibiotics in the milk we drink?
Just like humans, cows can get sick. Sometimes, antibiotics are used to treat illnesses in individual cows. In congruence with Canadian dairy practices, when this happens, the cow’s milk is collected separately and discarded until the antibiotics have cleared her system.

In Canada, there is zero tolerance for antibiotics in milk, whether conventional or organic, and producers can face heavy penalties. Every time milk is picked up from producers, samples are sent to an independent lab for tests, including somatic cell counts and antibiotic residues. If antibiotics are found in the milk, the entire truckload is discarded.

If there were antibiotics in milk, we wouldn’t have delicious products like cheese and yogurt, as antibiotics disrupt the fermentation processes essential to make these products.

Dairy systems use somatic cell count tests internationally to detect the cellular content of milk. In the context of cows, a somatic cell is any live cell found in the udder. The maximum allowed SCC limit in Canada is 400,000 cells per millilitre.

From July to December 2017, the Canadian farm average was about 209,000 cells per milliliter — just over half the maximum allowable limit — although this data excludes the provinces of Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador. To put this in perspective, one cubic millimetre of human blood contains four to six million red blood cells.

Does milk contain pus?
We’ve all heard claims that there is pus in milk. However, this too is a myth. The cells found in normal milk through SCC tests are primarily live cells in the mammary gland. Pus, on the other hand, is a collection of dead white blood cells, dead skin cells and bacteria, and its presence in milk would not pass quality testing. Any harmful bacteria in milk are destroyed by pasteurization.

Canadian Quality Milk is an on-farm monitoring program run by Dairy Farmers of Canada that ensures food safety and overall best management practices across the nation. The program tracks the testing and storage of milk, animal transport and the use of on-farm medication. Dairy Farmers of Canada also conducts on-farm welfare assessments to ensure that each farm meets a high standard of animal health and care.

If you’re curious to learn more, visit the Rayner Dairy Research and Teaching Facility on campus or go to www.farmfood360.ca for virtual tours of dairy barns across Canada.

Ask an Agro is a monthly column where students from the College of Agriculture and Bioreserouces answer queries about the Canadian food system. You can send questions to opinions@thesheaf.com or askanagro@gmail.com.

The University of Saskatchewan offers round-the-clock, monitored study spaces for students during finals season — 24 Hour Safe Study is a collaboration between the Murray Library and the U of S Students’ Union that aims to provide a safe space for late-night labours.

Operating on the ground floor of the Murray Library, 24 Hour Safe Study began on Nov. 28 and runs until 8:00 a.m. on Dec. 22. That’s right — free rent for nearly a month, if you’re thrifty.

The space is monitored by USSU Student Crew employees, and students utilizing 24 Hour Safe Study are technically required to present their student card — an item that I lost three months ago and have not since replaced — upon entering the space after regular library operating hours. Thankfully, no one has ever asked to see mine.

Take a look beyond the bookshelves at 3 a.m., and you’ll see that, despite its best intentions, the program is endorsing and facilitating fundamentally unhealthy behaviours in students.

We know that looking at our computer screens for hours on end, sleep deprivation and poor eating habits are bad for us, but it’s hard to reconcile making healthy lifestyle changes with the obligation to utilize every minute of every day because the library enables you to.

On the other hand, 24 Hour Safe Study does provide students with a unique opportunity for collaborative learning. Additionally, I’ve found that reserving a space specifically for one activity — me getting my school work done — has been beneficial to my learning and productivity throughout the term. I’m glad to have the opportunity to use the space whenever I want, but I wish I didn’t have to.

What do students need most during peak times of stress? Is a non-stop, collective learning space more valuable than mental supports? Is it the role of the university to structure student lives in a healthier way, or is that the individual’s responsibility?

What do you think? Tweet with the hashtag #sheafhottakes, and let’s talk.